Most of us put it into our bodies all the time without ever really being aware of it. What is this mysterious substance? Oxygen? No – high fructose corn syrup.
High fructose corn syrup is a synthetic sugar derived from cornstarch. To make the sweetener, the corn’s starch molecules are chemically altered and spun into a syrup that is 45% fructose and 55% glucose. Sodium hydroxide, used to separate the corn starch from the kernel, can be contaminated with mercury, which has been linked to gastrointestinal, kidney, neurological, and respiratory damage; cancer; and death.
High fructose corn syrup yields the same number of calories and sugar grams as the sucrose present in table sugar. All refined carbohydrates are quickly converted to fat once they are released into the bloodstream. Any type of added sugar has been linked to health conditions such as dental cavities, high blood sugar, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
However, fructose in particular is metabolized differently by the human body. Fructose disrupts the metabolism because it does not produce leptin, a hormone that decreases hunger. Likewise, it does not inhibit ghrelin (a hormone that signals hunger), upsetting the metabolic balance. When ingested, fructose skips the process of glycolysis, which is part of a normal carbohydrate metabolism. This makes fructose an unregulated source of acetyl-coA, the starting material for fatty acid synthesis. Coupled with the unstimulated leptin levels, fat deposition, during which the liver releases more fat into the blood, is stimulated. These results in increased triglyceride levels can boost the risk for heart attack.
In addition, sodas containing high fructose corn syrup were found to have high levels of reactive carbonyls, chemical compounds found in diabetics that may contribute to tissue damage. Lastly, the fructose in this unnatural mixture of sugars causes inhibits regular carbohydrate absorption of glucose, causing cramps, bloating and loose stools.
High fructose corn syrup is abundant in our packaged foods, such as in junk food like candy, chips, soda, and baked goods. However, high fructose corn syrup also lurks in the foods that we generally consider to be healthy, ranging from breads and cereals to protein bars and yogurts. It comes as no surprise that drinks such as iced teas, lemonade and sports drinks, are also polluted with high fructose corn syrup. Another under-the-radar source of the sweetener are condiments such as barbecue sauces, hot sauces, jellies, syrups, and ketchup.
How can you avoid putting this artificial food into your body? Before you eat a processed food, take a moment to turn over the wrapper and make sure that the words “high fructose corn syrup” do not plague the ingredients label.